ESTEEM GOD'S WORD ABOVE ALL ELSE
TEXT:
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Mark 13 verse 31, King James Version)
In Bible times, God revealed Himself to mankind at various times by different names. For instance, He appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by His name "Jehovah" (meaning "the Lord"), He did not make Himself known to them. (Exodus 6 verse 3) In the New Testament times, He came revealed as JESUS.(Luke 1 verse 31).
It's amazing that as revered and powerful the names of God are, He magnifies His Word above all His name.
"for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Psalms 138 stanza 2). In other words, "God's promise, sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise." (Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary)
Take for example, the name of Jesus: The Bible says that at the name of Jesus—the name which is above all names— every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. (Philippians 2 verses 9 to 11.) Again, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower" (Proverbs 18 verse 10), yet the Word of God is magnified even above the name of Jesus. This is amazing!
Why would the Lord magnify His Word above all His name? One reason is that God's Word is truth and by His Word, He has made Himself known to mankind mostly. Secondly, the Scripture reading for today reveals that God's Word is superior to all of His creation. We are told that,
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Mark 13 verse 31). Another reason is that God knew that in the fullness of time, He would clothe His Word with flesh and inter-alia, send Him to the world to atone for the sins of mankind in order to secure the reconciliation of God with mankind. The Bible says in John 1 verse 14, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ..." (See also Hebrews 2 verse 14 and Romans 1 verse 3; 8 verse 3). Jesus, the Living Word of God is Emmanuel, the God-Man
Now, if God placed His Word above all His name, that should tell us that God's Word shouldn't be taken lightly. The Bible says in Hebrews 2 verses 1 to 3 as follows:
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard (God's Word), lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;" (Emphasis added)
If God so esteemed His Word above all His name, why shouldn't we do likewise? Why shouldn't we give priority to God's Word above all else in our lives? For one thing, and according to Moses, God's Word shouldn't be considered vain, moreso as it's life unto us (Deuteronomy 32 verses 46 to 47). Through God's Word is ministered unto us salvation, healing, deliverance, prosperity, peace, joy and rejoicing, etc.
From this day, give good attention to hear and to receive God's Word and you'll be amazed at what happens to your life (See Joshua 1 verse 8 and 1st Timothy 4 verses 15 to 16)
PRAYER:
Dear Father, having extolled Your Word above all Your name, I likewise esteem Your Word above all else in my life; so help me, in Jesus name.